Training
Vegas Valley Umpires (VVU) is an amateur umpire association that supplies umpires for little leagues, competitive youth and adult leagues throughout the Vegas Valley area.
The association is owned by David and Carol Ruegge and has been providing this service since 1991. VVU is operated by Carol along with her son Michael Sclafani, and Umpire-In-Chief, Anthony Prater, former professional umpire and current NCAA umpire.
Our goal is to promote excellence, professionalism and fair play, not only in “The Game,” but also in life.
We have found this to be a great job for the youth of our community in experiencing conflicts that may occur in life. The umpires interact with adults as well as other youth. VVU will work around their educational and extra curricular schedules. Many adults umpire as a second income or as a full time income. The umpires are independent contractors and will receive a 1099. The association provides umpires for youth and adult leagues throughout Las Vegas, Henderson and Boulder City. Over the last 22 years, Vegas Valley Umpires has grown to over 200 umpires with experience to umpire all levels of baseball play. VVU is proud to provide top quality training and clinics. Our umpires experience on-field mechanics training and classroom instruction on rules. The advancement of umpires from little league to top 18u competitive play is what we promote. As we search for amateur umpires willing to make a commitment to professionalism and fair play, we invite you to visit our website. It may just be for you. “Make the Right Call”, Join our Crew.
VVU holds two umpire training clinics a year. One in August will get umpires ready for the fall season, and one in January to get ready for the spring season.
To be added to the clinic list and for more information, fill out the new umpire registration form, or email VVUmpires@gmail.com
Training Handouts
| PU – Plate Umpire | BU – Umpire | BU – Umpire |
| R1 – Runner starts on 1st | R2 – Runner starts on 2nd | R3 – Runner starts on 3rd |
In every situation below starts when the pitcher toes the rubber and the situation is the result of the pitch.
| Situation: Fly ball with NO runner on | |
|---|---|
| PU | BU |
| Ball/Strike | Check Swing (Yes he went/No he didn’t go.) |
| Fair/Foul | Fair/Foul |
| Catch/No Catch | Obstruction/Interference |
| Touch at Home | Touch at 1st, 2nd & 3rd |
| Play at Home | Play at all bases |
| Situation: Fly ball with Runner on 1st | |
|---|---|
| PU | BU |
| Balk | Balk |
| Ball/Strike | Check Swing (Yes he went/No he didn’t go.) |
| Fair/Foul | R1 Leaving Early |
| Catch/No Catch | Tag- u p |
| t;R2 Touch/No Touch at 3rd | R2 Play at 3rd |
| Any Play on R1 at 3rd and Home | R1 Touching 2nd and BR Touching 1st, 2nd, and 3rd |
| If ball is caught BU has R1 all the way to 3rd |
| Situation: Fly Ball with Runner on 2nd | |
|---|---|
| PU | BU |
| Balk | Balk |
| Ball/Strike | Check Swing (Yes he went/No he did’t go. |
| Fair/Foul | R2 Leaving Early |
| Catch/No Catch | Tag-up |
| R2 Touch/No Touch at 3rd | R2 Play at 3rd |
| R2 to Home & BR to Home | BR Touch/No Touch all Bases |
| BR Play at all Bases |
| Situation: Fly Ball with Runner on 3rd | |
|---|---|
| PU | BU |
| Balk | Balk |
| Ball/Strike | Check Swing (Yes he Went/No he didn’t go. |
| Tag-up | BR Touch/No Touch All Bases |
| Catch/No Catch | BR Play at all Bases |
| BR at Home |
| Situation: Fly Ball with Runners on 1st and 2nd | |
|---|---|
| PU | BU |
| Balk | Balk |
| Ball/Strike | Check Swing (Yes he went/No he didn’t go.) |
| Fair/Foul | R1 & R2 Leaving Early |
| Catch/No Catch | Tag-up at 1st and 2nd |
| R2 Play at 3rd & Home | R1 Touching 2nd & 3rd & BR Touching All Bases |
| Remaining runners at Home |
| Situation: Fly Ball with Runners on 1st and 3rd | |
|---|---|
| PU | BU |
| Balk | Balk |
| Ball/Strike | Check Swing (Yes he went/No he didn’t go.) |
| Fair/Foul | R1 & R3 Leaving Early |
| Catch/No Catch | Tag-up at 1st |
| R3 Tagging to home | R1 Touching 2nd |
| R1 into 3rd | BR all the way to 3rd |
| Everyone Touching Home |
| Situation: Fly Ball with runners on 1st, 2nd & 3rd | |
|---|---|
| PU | BU |
| Balk | Balk |
| Ball/Strike | Check Swing (Yes he went/No he didn’t go.) |
| Fair/Foul | Any Runners Leaving Early |
| Catch/No Catch | Tag-up at 1st & 2nd |
| R3 Tagging to Home | R2 to 3rd |
| Plays at home | R1 to 2nd & 3rd |
| BR to 3rd |
| Situation: Runner on 1st and a Ground Ball | |
|---|---|
| PU | BU |
| Balk | Balk |
| Ball/Strike | Check Swing (Yes he went/No he didn’t go.) |
| Fair/Foul | Leaving Early |
| R1 Touching 3rd | R1 Touch/No Touch at 2nd |
| R1 Play at 3rd | R1 Play at 2nd |
| Plays at Home | BR to 3rd |
| Situation: Runner on 2nd and a ground ball | |
|---|---|
| PU | BU |
| Balk | Balk |
| Ball/Strike | Check Swing (Yes he went/No he didn’t go.) |
| Fair/Foul | Leaving early |
| R2 Touch/No Touch 3rd | BR to 3rd |
| Plays at Home |
| Situation: Runner on 3rd and a ground ball | |
|---|---|
| PU | BU |
| Balk | Balk |
| Ball/Strike | Check Swing (Yes he went/No he didn’t go.) |
| Fair/Foul | Leaving Early |
| Plays at Home | BR to 3rd |
| Situation: Runner on 1st and 2nd and a ground ball | |
|---|---|
| PU | BU |
| Balk | Balk |
| Ball/Strike | Check Swing (Yes he went/No he didn’t go.) |
| Fair/Foul | Leaving Early |
| R2 Touch/No Touch at 3rd | R1 Touch/No Touch at 2nd & 3rd |
| Plays at Home | R1 & BR to 3rd |
| Situation: Runner on 1st, 2nd & 3rd and a ground ball | |
|---|---|
| PU | BU |
| Balk | Balk |
| Ball/Strike | Check Swing (Yes he wen/No he didn’t go.) |
| Fair/Foul | Leaving Early |
| Plays at Home | R2 to 3rd |
| R1 to 3rd | |
| BR to 3rd |